Illustrated Catastrophes

As usual, never consider the following commentary associated with these photos as a formal interpretation of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Without criticizing anyone or any product, the following scenarios present us with serious safety questions. All references are based on the 2005 NEC. A FITTING INSTALLATION Steve Perhac, a lead electrician with Micron Technology in Boise, Idaho, was kind

Advertisement

As usual, never consider the following commentary associated with these photos as a formal interpretation of the National Electrical Code (NEC). Without criticizing anyone or any product, the following scenarios present us with serious safety questions.

All references are based on the 2005 NEC.

A FITTING INSTALLATION

Steve Perhac, a lead electrician with Micron Technology in Boise, Idaho, was kind enough to share this photo with us. “As I was walking across a hydroelectric dam, I happened to look down through the grated walkway and see this,” said Perhac. “My supervisor wanted to show it to the electrical inspector, but ran out of time during his last visit. However, he did tell him about it.”

As per the NEC, a conduit body is defined as “a separate portion of a conduit or tubing system that provides access through a removable cover(s) to the interior of the system at a junction of two or more sections of the system or at a terminal point of the system. Boxes such as FS and FD or larger cast or sheet metal boxes are not classified as conduit bodies.”

In addition, as per 314.28(C), “All pull boxes, junction boxes, and conduit bodies shall be provided with covers compatible with the box conduit body construction and suitable for the condition's use. Where used, metal covers shall comply with the grounding requirements of 250.110. An extension from the cover an exposed box shall comply with 314.22, Exception.”

JUMP-PROOF DESIGN?

I found this young person jumping around in the planter of a market area. It appears he wasn't the first person to jump on this box. Take note of the quick fix someone made earlier with black electrical tape.

The installation seemed to be in compliance with the requirements of 314.23 (Supports), which states, “Enclosures within the scope of this article shall be supported in accordance with one or more of the provisions in 314.23(A) through (H).”

More specifically, 314.23(E) states, “An enclosure that does not contain a device(s) other than splicing devices or support a luminaire(s) [fixture(s)], lampholder, or other equipment and is supported by entering raceways shall not exceed 1650 cm3 (100 in.3) in size. It shall have threaded entries or have hubs identified for the purpose. It shall be supported by two or more conduits threaded wrench tight into the enclosure or hubs. Each conduit shall be secured within 900 mm (3 ft) of the enclosure, or within 450 mm (18 in.) of the enclosure if all conduit entries are on the same side.”

Found a Code violation? E-mail your text and photos to Joe Tedesco atjoseph.tedesco@yahoo.com. Please do not send in low-resolution images, such as those typically taken with a cell phone camera.

Photo Galleries

If you’re an electrical engineer striving to earn the highest salary possible, a move to California may be in your future — considering the fact that six of the top 10 highest paying cities for electrical engineers just happen to fall within that state’s borders.

According to in-house research conducted by EC&M in early 2015, nearly two-thirds (64.06%) of the 543 electrical contractors responding to a purchasing practices survey said they currently buy electrical products online.

If you are like most facilities managers, you probably think busway is maintenance-free. There are no moving parts, so what could go wrong — right? Wrong. Check out these 13 photos, view the video online, and watch for the upcoming article in EC&M magazine on “Understanding Electrical Busway Vulnerabilities,” written by John A.

EC&M Webinars

The energy released during an arc flash event can result in severe damage to personnel, equipment, and property. While there are solutions which seek to improve the protection for each, this program will focus on personnel....More

Get more information on the important changes to the 2015 edition of NFPA 70E. More specifically, this event will address hazard analysis and FR clothing performance testing, focusing on the quantification of incident energy and ATPV (or Arc Rating)....More

Are you protected in the event of short circuit fault? Stainless steel cable ties provide a durable method of bundling, identifying and fastening cable in severe and harsh conditions.
Productivity. Reliability. Safety. We’ve Got You Covered....More

Productivity. Reliability. Safety. We’ve Got You Covered.
The connectors and crimping process make the Panduit solution unique. Offering the speed and safety of a compression connection, while exceeding the stringent requirements of IEEE Std 837-2002. Install in ANY weather. No burn permits needed....More

Arlington's TVBU810 delivers the ultimate in versatility for installing wall-mounted TVs in new or retrofit projects. You can install it horizontally or vertically to ensure proper positioning of low voltage connections behind the TV....More